ROCHESTER HILLS — After witnessing how some women in remote regions of Afghanistan and India were treated, Lori Blaker felt compelled to contribute to causes that advocate for women’s rights.

“They’re under their father, their brother and husband’s law,” Blaker said Nov. 4. “They have no rights.”

Blaker, president and chief executive officer of Rochester Hills-based TTi Global, a work force development company, hopes a new effort she recently unveiled will generate a lasting impact for the cause.

She was joined by local civic and business leaders inside the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester Nov. 4 to launch the metro Detroit chapter of the U.S. National Committee for UN Women, an independent nonprofit organization that promotes social, political and economic equality for women.

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The local metro Detroit chapter is the newest addition to the committee, Blaker said.

The local chapter currently has about 25 members and plans to hold its first meeting Dec. 4 at TTi’s headquarters, she said.

The organization offers support to federal legislation and funding that seeks to promote gender equality and economic empowerment of woman, such as the International Violence Against Women Act.

Local chapters also work with municipal officials to promote legislation that provides gender equity.

Blaker said the chapter plans to hold events to educate interested members on UN Women and will sponsor events like a film festival next year that focuses on women-focused movies.

“We are the voice of UN Women in the U.S.,” she said.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said Blaker’s success as a businesswoman demonstrates she has the capability to succeed with the initiative.

TTi Global has been located in Rochester Hills since 1984 and has 2,000 employees worldwide. Earlier this year the company moved to its new 25,000-square foot headquarters on Hamlin Road due to a need for more space.

“It’s a pleasure to have somebody from the community lead this important group,” Patterson said.

He added, “I have no doubt she’s going to be extremely successful bringing these important issues to the forefront.”

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said he was a “huge Lori Blaker fan.”

“She’s a woman that leads her organization well,” Barnett said. “ We’re blessed with great women community leaders” in Rochester Hills.

For more info on the U.S. Committee for UN Women and how to get involved in the metro Detroit chapter, visit unwomen-usnc.org.

“If you educate a woman,” Blaker said, “you educate a nation.”

About the Author

Ryan Felton is a staff writer at The Oakland Press who covers Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, transportation and technology. Blogging about Detroit at detroit.jalopnik.com. Reach the author at ryan.felton@oakpress.com
or follow Ryan on Twitter: @ryanfelton13.